Breathing mask

ABSTRACT

A breathing mask which is convenient for enteral nutrition using a nasogastric feeding tube when the mask is in use may be provided. The breathing mask may include at least one nasogastric tube port. The port may allow a nasogastric tube to pass through the mask without substantially affecting the seal or pressure of the mask while accommodating enteral feeding. In addition, the breathing mask may incarnate the human-centered design to reduce discomfort in patients and is favorable for therapy and rehabilitation.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority as a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/416,224, filed on Jan. 26, 2017, entitled“BREATHING MASK,” which claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/287,625, filed on Jan. 27, 2016, the entire contentsof which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Critically ill patients suffering from a wide range of respiratorydisturbances and cardiovascular failure often require noninvasiveventilatory support using a breathing mask (covering mouth and nose)such as a Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure mask to regulate normalrespiratory patterns. With this noninvasive mask, the patient is able tospeak, swallow and cough, and can avoid many complications due toendotracheal intubation. There are many forms of full face breathingmasks currently available however these suffer from disadvantages suchas lack of access for any form of nutrition support, discomfort in useand poor sealing when used in conjunction with a nasogastric tube. Whilewearing the breathing mask, patients are not able to have liquids orfood, as access to the patient's mouth or nose is restricted due to theundesirability of or an inability to remove the mask. This can lead tonutritional deprivation. When patients are treated with a breathingmask, nutrition is often considered a secondary concern. It is estimatedthat 60% of critically chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patientswith acute respiratory failure suffer from malnutrition. It has furtherbeen shown that proper nutrition can help to restore respiratorybreathing strength. The current practice to address this issue is toinsert a nasogastric tube and then restore the breathing mask. Thenasogastric tube is retained between the mask and the patient's cheeksubsequently creating a poor seal and air leakage. This results inremoval of the nasogastric tube and cessation of nutrition support.Consequently, it is desirable to avoid sacrificing adequate nutritionfor proper respiratory treatment. A breathing mask that accommodates theuse of a nasogastric tube for enteral feeding while maintaining anairtight seal around the patient's face, may therefore be desired.

SUMMARY

According to an exemplary embodiment, a breathing mask may be provided.The breathing mask may include a frame capable of creating an airtightseal over a user's mouth and nose. The breathing mask may furtherinclude a breathing port capable of receiving a breathing tube. Thebreathing mask may also include a feeding tube port capable of receivinga feeding tube.

According to another exemplary embodiment, a breathing mask may includea frame configured to create an airtight seal over a user's mouth andnose, at least one breathing tube port disposed in the frame, and afeeding tube port disposed in the frame centrally above the breathingtube port. The breathing mask may further include a gripping elementdisposed on the frame centrally above the feeding tube port and capableof securing a feeding tube passing through the feeding tube port. Thebreathing mask may also include a feeding tube port sealing cap capableof sealing the feeding tube port.

According to yet another exemplary embodiment, a breathing mask may beprovided. The breathing mask may include a frame having a breathing tubeport and a nasogastric feeding tube rally installed therein. Thebreathing tube port and nasogastric feeding tube port may be verticallyaligned along a central axis of the breathing mask. The feeding tubeport may further include a locking element for securing a feeding tubepassing through the feeding tube port, a sealing element for maintainingan airtight seal between the feeding tube port and the feeding tube, anda sealing cap capable of sealing the feeding tube port when not in use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Advantages of embodiments of the present invention will be apparent fromthe following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments. Thefollowing detailed description should be considered in conjunction withthe accompanying figures in which:

Exemplary FIG. 1 shows a breathing mask with an enteral nutrition port;

Exemplary FIG. 2 shows a breathing mask with an enteral nutrition port;

Exemplary FIG. 3 shows a breathing mask with an enteral nutrition port;

Exemplary FIG. 4 shows a breathing mask with an enteral nutrition port;

Exemplary FIG. 5 shows a breathing mask with an enteral nutrition port;

Exemplary FIG. 6 shows a breathing mask with an enteral nutrition port;

Exemplary FIG. 7 shows a breathing mask with an enteral nutrition port;

Exemplary FIG. 8 shows a breathing mask with an enteral nutrition port;

Exemplary FIG. 9 shows a breathing mask with an enteral nutrition port;

Exemplary FIG. 10 shows a breathing mask with an enteral nutrition port;

Exemplary FIG. 11 shows a breathing mask with an enteral nutrition port;

Exemplary FIG. 12 shows a breathing mask with an enteral nutrition port;and

Exemplary FIG. 13 shows a enteral nutrition port locking mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the invention are disclosed in the following description andrelated drawings directed to specific embodiments of the invention.Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spiritor the scope of the invention. Additionally, well-known elements ofexemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detailor will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of theinvention. Further, to facilitate an understanding of the descriptiondiscussion of several terms used herein follows.

As used herein, the word “exemplary” means “serving as an example,instance or illustration.” The embodiments described herein are notlimiting, but rather are exemplary only. It should be understood thatthe described embodiments are not necessarily to be construed aspreferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Moreover, the terms“embodiments of the invention”, “embodiments” or “invention” do notrequire that all embodiments of the invention include the discussedfeature, advantage or mode of operation.

According to an exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1-13 generally, abreathing mask enteral nutrition nasogastric tube port (BENT-PORT) maybe provided. A breathing mask 100 may include a breathing port 112 foraccommodating an air tube providing the flow of a desired gas, such asoxygen, into the mask, as would be understood by a person havingordinary skill in the art. Breathing mask 100 may further include afeeding tube port 110. The port 110 may allow a nasogastric tube 130 topass through the mask 100 without substantially affecting the seal orpressure of the mask, while accommodating enteral feeding. In anexemplary embodiment, a respiratory or breathing oral/nasal maskassembly 100 may include a frame 102, which may be capable of covering auser's nose or a user's nose and mouth, and headgear 104, which maysecure the frame to the user's head. In addition to a breathing port 112and feeding tube port 110, mask 100 may further include at least oneauxiliary or supplemental port 106. Auxiliary or supplemental port 106may allow for introducing, sampling, monitoring, or extracting gases orother substances from within a breathing mask. Breathing mask assembly100 may be an oronasal mask, full face mask, or nasal mask. Headgear 104may include at least one strap. Headgear 104 may further include aframe, which may be secured to mask 100 by at least one headgearsecuring grip 108. In addition to a breathing port, the mask assemblymay further include a cushion, which may create a seal between the maskand the user. The cushion may additionally provide comfort to the user.A mask assembly may further include inserts with nasal cushions andforehead pads. A nose bridge of mask 100 may optionally be soft in orderto prevent skin breakdown. The frame 102 may be made of a variety ofmaterials including, but not limited to, silicone, plastic, rubber, orpolymers, as would be understood by a person having ordinary skill inthe art. The frame 102 may be substantially rigid. The frame 102 mayoptionally be transparent.

Breathing mask 100 may further include a tube port 110. Port 110 mayaccommodate a feeding tube, such as a nasogastric (NG) tube, anasoduodenal (ND) tube, a nasojejunal (NJ) tube, or other feeding tubesas would be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art.Port 110 may allow for enteral feeding and breathing of patientssimultaneously. Port 110 may be applicable for breathing masks used byhumans and animals. Port 110 may be multi-functional. For example, port110 may be used for nutritional use, to provide water, to provide otherliquids, or to provide medications, including crushed medications, tohumans or animals that require a breathing mask. In at least oneexemplary embodiment, port 110 may allow for the use of a nasogastrictube 130 without disrupting the seal of a breathing mask. The mask 100and port 110 may be composed of the same material or may be differentmaterials. In an exemplary embodiment, at least one of the mask 100 andport 110 may optionally be transparent or opaque. According to someexemplary embodiments, port 110 may be disposed centrally on mask 100above a breathing tube port 112 in order for a feeding tube to becomfortably inserted into either nostril of a user.

In an exemplary embodiment, the breathing mask 100 may be a Bi-LevelPositive Air Pressure (BiPAP) Mask and may be capable of accommodating aNasogastric (NG) Tube 130 through the port 110. The breathing mask 100with the port may maintain the functionality of BiPAP by achievinginternal pressure within approximately 5% of a standard BiPAP mask. Theport 110 may also be compatible with Continuous Positive Airway Pressure(CPAP) masks, and other similar masks as would be understood by a personhaving ordinary skill in the art. Additionally, the NG tube 130 may besecured to the mask 100 to limit movement of the tube when the length oftube 130 outside the mask is manipulated. Further to limiting undesiredmovement of the NG tube 130, the port 110 may be positioned in the mask100 to comfortably, position an NG tube 130 for a patient, wheninserted.

In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1-12 , the port 110 may belocated above a breathing tube port or air tubing port 112, along avertical axis of a breathing mask 100. In alternative exemplaryembodiments, the port 110 may be located in any desired location onbreathing mask 100. In some exemplary embodiments, multiple ports 110may be provided to allow insertion of an NG tube 130 in a variety oforientations or to allow for insertion of multiple NG tubes, or otherdesired tubes as may be understood by a person having ordinary skill inthe art. The at least one port 110 may be provided aerially or on top ofthe mask to maintain the airtight seal between the breathing mask 100and a user's head.

In at least some exemplary embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1-13 , thebreathing mask 100 may further include a tube gripping element 114.Gripping element 114 may removably secure a tube 130 to the mask in adesired orientation and may limit undesired motion of the tube duringuse. In some embodiments, gripping element 114 may be positioned abovethe port 110 along a vertical axis. In other exemplary embodiments,gripping element 114 may be located in any desired location on breathingmask 100. In yet further exemplary embodiments, multiple grippingelements 114 may be included on breathing mask 100 to allow for multipledesired orientations of an NG tube.

Port 110 may optionally incorporate a variety of sealing elements forengaging a tube 130. Sealing elements may include a port locking element115 and corresponding tube locking element 116 disposed along the lengthof tube 130. For example, port 110 may include a one-way valve, aLuer-lock, a cross-slit valve, a seam port, a plug, or other similarport types as would be understood by a person having ordinary skill inthe art. In some exemplary embodiments, optional port locking element115 and corresponding tube locking element 116 may form a screw-typeconnection or other male-female connection as would be understood by aperson having ordinary skill in the art. In yet further embodiments,multiple sealing elements may be incorporated. For example, port 110 mayinclude a port locking element 115 for engaging a corresponding tubelocking element 116 on tube 130 in addition to a cross-slit valve 132for added sealing around tube 130 when disposed through port 110.

Locking elements 115, 116 may lock the position and orientation of tube130 in relation to port 110 in addition to providing a seal between port110 and tube 130. Cross-slit valve 132 or alternative sealing elementsmay provide additional air sealing at port 110. Creating a substantiallyair tight seal at port 110 may maintain the integrity of the full facebreathing mask.

In some embodiments, a sealing cap 118 may be provided for sealing theport when a tube is not inserted. This may maintain the seal andpressure achieved by the mask. Sealing cap 118 may be capable ofengaging the desired port type, as would be understood by a personhaving ordinary skill in the art. Sealing cap 118 may optionally betethered to the mask to prevent misplacement. In yet furtherembodiments, sealing cap 118 may be a plug or solid tube locking element116, as discussed below, capable of preventing airflow as would beunderstood by a person having ordinary skill in the art.

The locking elements of an exemplary embodiment may be in FIG. 13 . Aport locking element 115 may have at least one female connection portionor track 140 and may be disposed on the inner surface of port 110. Atube locking element 116, may be a sleeve capable of passing over tube130 having at least one corresponding male connection portion 142 forengaging track 140. Tube locking element 116 may be positioned at adesired location along the length of a tube 130. Tube locking element116 may fit tightly around tube 130, maintaining an airtight seal. In anexemplary embodiment, tube locking element 116 may include at least oneslit or seam to facilitate adjustment along the length of tube 130. Theat least one slit or seam may extend partially the length of tubelocking element 116 and when flexed may adjust the fit around tube 130to facilitate sliding the tube 130 through tube locking element 116.When engaged with port locking element 115, tube locking element 116 mayprevent tube 130 from being dislodged or moving in an undesired manner.

The foregoing description and accompanying figures illustrate theprinciples, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of theinvention. However, the invention should not be construed as beinglimited to the particular embodiments discussed above. Additionalvariations of the embodiments discussed above will be appreciated bythose skilled in the art.

Therefore, the above-described embodiments should be regarded asillustrative rather than restrictive. Accordingly, it should beappreciated that variations to those embodiments can be made by thoseskilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention asdefined following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A breathing mask comprising: a frame, wherein theframe has a top edge and a bottom edge, which are configured to alignrespectively with a top and bottom of a user's face; a breathing port;an enteral nutrition port disposed in the frame vertically aligned withthe breathing port, between the breathing port and the top edge, andconfigured to receive an enteral nutrition tube; a tube grip disposed onan outer surface of the frame between the enteral nutrition port and thetop edge, wherein the tube grip is configured to secure the enteralnutrition tube in an orientation along a vertical axis from the top edgeto the enteral nutrition port; a port lock disposed in the enteralnutrition port; and an enteral nutrition tube lock disposed on theenteral nutrition tube, wherein the port lock is configured to securethe enteral nutrition tube lock in the enteral nutrition port and lock aposition and orientation of the enteral nutrition tube in relation tothe enteral nutrition port.
 2. The breathing mask of claim 1, whereinthe enteral nutrition port is an oral feeding tube port.
 3. Thebreathing mask of claim 1, wherein the enteral nutrition port is a nasalfeeding tube port.
 4. The breathing mask of claim 1, further comprisingan enteral nutrition port sealing cap.
 5. The breathing mask of claim 1,wherein the frame is configured to create an air-tight seal over theuser's nose and mouth.
 6. The breathing mask of claim 1, furthercomprising an enteral nutrition port valve disposed within an opening ofthe enteral nutrition port, wherein the port valve is configured tomaintain a seal.
 7. The breathing mask of claim 1, wherein the frame istransparent.
 8. The breathing mask of claim 1, further comprising acushion.
 9. The breathing mask of claim 1, further comprising at leastone auxiliary port.
 10. The breathing mask of claim 9, the at least oneauxiliary port comprises a first auxiliary port disposed between theenteral nutrition port and a left edge of the frame and a secondauxiliary port disposed between the enteral nutrition port and a rightedge of the frame.
 11. The breathing mask of claim 1, wherein theenteral nutrition port and the breathing port are configured to providesimultaneous use of a breathing tube and the enteral nutrition tube. 12.The breathing mask of claim 1, wherein the enteral nutrition tube is anenteral feeding tube.
 13. An enteral nutrition apparatus comprising: amask configured to cover at least one of a user's mouth and nose; anenteral nutrition port disposed in the mask; and an enteral nutritionport sealing valve disposed within an opening of the enteral nutritionport, wherein the enteral nutrition port sealing valve is configured tomaintain a seal, a tube grip disposed between the enteral nutrition portand a top edge, wherein the tube grip is configured to secure an enteralnutrition tube in an orientation along a vertical axis from the top edgeto the enteral nutrition port; the enteral nutrition tube configured topass through the enteral nutrition port; and an enteral nutrition portlock disposed in the enteral nutrition port and an enteral nutritiontube lock disposed on the enteral nutrition tube, wherein the enteralnutrition tube lock is configured to securely engage the enteralnutrition port lock and lock a position and orientation of the enteralnutrition tube in relation to the enteral nutrition port.
 14. Theenteral nutrition apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a breathingport disposed in the mask.
 15. The enteral nutrition apparatus of claim13, further comprising an enteral nutrition port cap configured to coverthe enteral nutrition port.
 16. A breathing mask comprising: a frame,wherein the frame has a top edge and a bottom edge, which are configuredto align respectively with a top and bottom of a user's face; abreathing port; an enteral nutrition port disposed in the framevertically aligned with the breathing port, between the breathing portand the top edge, and configured to receive an enteral nutrition tube; atube grip disposed on an outer surface of the frame between the enteralnutrition port and the top edge, wherein the tube grip is configured tosecure the enteral nutrition tube in an orientation along a verticalaxis from the top edge to the enteral nutrition port; an enteralnutrition port valve disposed within an opening of the enteral nutritionport, wherein the port valve is configured to maintain a seal; anenteral nutrition tube lock disposed on the enteral nutrition tube; anda port lock configured to secure the enteral nutrition tube lock in theenteral nutrition port.